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Well this is a rare and very welcome thing. The BBC is making a brand new British sci-fi drama, and it sounds like it could be a rather intriguing one.

‘Sutherland’ is a new six-part sci-fi thriller set in the far north of Scotland and in space, coming from World Productions Scotland, the team behind Vigil. Created by James Smythe (All Her Fault), the series is heading to BBC iPlayer, BBC One and BBC Scotland, with a cast led by Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Fuze, Loki, The Girl Before), Stuart Martin (Army of Thieves, In Flight, Rebel Moon) and Iain De Caestecker (Roadkill, The Winter King, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D).

Set in the near future, ‘Sutherland’ follows Mirren, played by Mbatha-Raw, who works at Paravel Space Hub as flight director for the UK’s first crewed mission to the stars. Everything appears to be going smoothly until, just hours after launch, a string of strange events throws Sutherland into chaos and threatens everything she has been working towards.

As an old conspiracy begins to resurface, local detective Logan, played by Martin, is drawn back into Mirren’s world. With Logan’s investigation and Mirren’s mission both starting to unravel, the two are forced to work together, leading them towards a discovery that could change everything.

It is a setup that feels nicely Geektown-ish. You’ve got Scotland, you’ve got mystery, you’ve got space travel, and you’ve got the BBC having a go at original sci-fi instead of just leaving all that fun to imported shows and Doctor Who. That alone makes ‘Sutherland’ worth keeping an eye on.

James Smythe said: “Sutherland is at heart a love story, a story of loss, a story of discovery – and a story that speaks to our collective desire to understand more about both what’s far above us, and what’s right at our feet. To be making a show for the BBC is a lifelong dream. To be doing it with the amazing team at World Productions, with this unfathomably good cast and our wonderful directors, is incredible to me. I can’t wait for audiences to see what we’ve come up with…”

Jake Lushington, executive producer for World Productions, added: “World Productions are delighted to be bringing James’ resonant and provocative story of love, loss and life in Space and the far north of Scotland to the BBC. At a time when many question the expense and need for space travel, and with so many problems on our own planet, Sutherland asks the timely question: are the answers out there or have they been right here all along?”

Gaynor Holmes, Commissioning Editor for the BBC, said: “Sutherland is a show like no other and we’re so excited to bring James Smythe’s thrilling vision of Space and the Scottish Highlands to BBC. We can’t wait for everyone to get to know Mirren, Logan & Callum, played by the brilliant Gugu, Stuart and Iain, as their story leads them in unexpected directions that will captivate BBC viewers.”

Louise Thornton, Head of Commissioning for BBC Scotland, said: “It’s wonderful to work with World Productions once again on this thrilling new drama, Sutherland. James has created a mysterious and mesmerising story which will have audiences captivated and shine a new light on Scotland, all brought to life by our impressive cast.”

The series is written by James Smythe, Laura Grace, Tom Mair and Helen Kingston, and directed by Chloë Wicks and Patrick Harkins. Clare Kerr serves as producer, with executive producers Jake Lushington, Simon Heath and George Aza-Selinger for World Productions Scotland, alongside Gaynor Holmes for the BBC, Gavin Smith for BBC Scotland, and Smythe himself.

Filming begins in Scotland later this year, with more casting still to be announced.

‘Sutherland’ does not yet have a premiere date but will air on BBC iPlayer, BBC One and BBC Scotland in the UK. If you want to keep track of this or any other shows, you can add them via our Never Miss system, and you’ll be notified when it gets a UK premiere date. Visit Never Miss.